California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt), Humboldt : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About California State Polytechnic University
Tucked between the redwoods and the Pacific, Cal Poly Humboldt is known for field-based learning where classrooms often spill outdoors. Students dive into the natural and social sciences, engineering and design, business, education, and the arts. Labs, studios, a strong library, and well-used field sites support the work, with advising, tutoring, health and counseling, and cultural centers keeping students grounded.
Campus life leans outdoorsy and creative. Clubs, music nights, theater, and service projects run alongside hiking, surfing, paddling, and forest trails that feel almost storybook. The culture is friendly, eco-minded, and a little quirky in the best way. Career prep stays practical, with internships and research tied to regional organizations, public agencies, and nonprofits, plus an alumni network that actually picks up the phone. Arcata adds a lively plaza, local food, and volunteer chances. Alumni include Stephen Hillenburg and NFL lineman Alex Cappa.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt), Humboldt offers 55 degree programs across 24 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,570 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Natural Resources (7 programs, 306 graduates), Biological Sciences (4 programs, 178 graduates), Psychology (1 programs, 160 graduates), Social Sciences (8 programs, 133 graduates) and Business (1 programs, 99 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Natural Resources (7 programs, 306 graduates)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science | 93 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
03.0104 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | 88 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0601 |
| Forestry | 51 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0501 |
| Environmental Studies | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0103 |
| Natural Resources Conservation | 27 |
|
Master's
|
03.0101 |
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0301 |
| Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0299 |
Biological Sciences (4 programs, 178 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 119 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.0101 |
| Zoology and Animal Biology | 33 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0701 |
| Botany and Plant Biology | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0301 |
| Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1302 |
Psychology (1 programs, 160 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 160 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
42.0101 |
Social Sciences (8 programs, 133 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.1101 |
| Anthropology | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0201 |
| Criminology | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0401 |
| Political Science and Government | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Geography | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0701 |
| Economics | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0702 |
| Social Sciences | 3 |
|
Master's
|
45.0101 |
Business (1 programs, 99 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 99 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
Public Services (1 programs, 96 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 96 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44.0701 |
Arts (4 programs, 94 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Studies | 63 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Cinematography and Film Production | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0602 |
| Theatre Arts | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Music | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
Kinesiology (2 programs, 74 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education | 67 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31.0501 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0101 |
Interdisciplinary (4 programs, 70 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies | 58 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.9999 |
| Global Studies | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.2001 |
| Museum Studies | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
30.1401 |
| Data Science | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.7001 |
English (1 programs, 52 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature | 52 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23.0101 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt), Humboldt.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt), Humboldt
How much does it cost to attend California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt), Humboldt?
The annual tuition at California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt), Humboldt is $7,913 for in-state students and $19,793 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $25,657 for in-state students and $37,537 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $13,166 (on) / $13,980 (off) and books and supplies $836.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt offer?
California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt), Humboldt offers 55 academic programs across 24 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management (7 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (4 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (1 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (8 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt?
California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt), Humboldt has an 98.8% acceptance rate and a 6.9% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 14,019
- Students admitted: 13,855
- Students enrolled: 955
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt?
California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt), Humboldt provides financial aid to 17% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $10,046 and average loans of $5,922.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,762
- State/Local grants: $2,471
- Institutional grants: $6,241
- Federal loans: $4,736
The university supports 609 students with grants and 341 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt graduates?
California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt), Humboldt graduates earn a median salary of $37,382 after 6 years and $47,626 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $27,312 (25th percentile) to $69,390 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $73,900 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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